In London, every American should see...

Right, for anyone reading the IA thread, you know that I have been called upon by family to provide not only suggestions for the best places to see in London (not just museums, but also 'London experiences' such as a great walking tour around London or anything else) but also for key tips for getting around in London or even for getting to London from America.  We always fly into and out of Manchester so while I know the Picadilly line runs to Heathrow, I'm not sure if that's the best way to get from the airport.  So, please, please help out someone who rarely ventures from the arctic north look smart and help out a family member.  When or if you were showing your family around London, where would you take them and what would you do with them?  I think this is a trip of a lifetime for the person and their family and I would love advice from people on what they enjoyed most about a trip to London or if you're a local, what's your favourite place to show off to visiting friends and family? 

Also, if you're local, help with directions would be fab, as I go to London once a year, maybe and then I totally rely on the goodwill of strangers to point me in the right direction.  Thanks in advance to anyone who responds!

The Heathrow Express is a 20 minute trip from Heathrow to Paddington in central London which after a 6 or 7 hour flight is far preferable to the hour or so it takes to get to London on the Piccadilly Line. Unless the budget is extremely tight, suggest the Heathrow Express. What sort of directions do you need?

Also, get an Oyster Card for tube and bus travel.  The most efficient way to vet around London. 

They could spring for the "London Pass", which will not only have suggestions for tours, museums, places to eat and see, but some of the admissions would be covered (or at least discounted).

I agree about the Heathrow Express. There are cheaper ways to get into London, but that's by far the easiest and least stressful for visitors.

The London Pass is a great idea too.

If they've never been to London before, then I'm sure they'll want to see the more obvious touristy things like Buckingham Palace, etc. But you could also include some of the more interesting and 'off the beaten path' spots as well.

I know I'm such a geek, but I'd probably make up a little folder for them (with colour-coded tabs, of course!) containing information about transportation, sights to see, museums, maps, eating & drinking, shopping, miscellaneous UK tips, etc.

They should take one of the open top bus tours- first time I went to London that's what my then BF and I did - got to see so much and get on and off!! 

My own personal recommendations are the London Eye, the Tower of London, the Tower Bridge tour, the Tate Modern, and St. Paul's Cathedral.   

I suppose how to get from Heathrow to London all depends on where their hotel is - Heathrow Express/Heathrow Connect is definitely fantastic option (connect is cheaper, takes a bit longer, 10 minutes more maybe?), but if they still need to ride the tube further or take taxi's for more than a few quid, then they may want another way to get there. 

One thing I love about London is that there's always a way to get from one place to another really easily!!!  They should definitely try and get an oyster card, makes getting on and off quite easily.

when my mom and sister came last May..we did all the touristy things and they loved it. We took the Big Bus Tour that ticket is good for 24 hours and you can get on and off whenever you want. We used it as our transport as well as sightseeing. It also includes a cruise of the Thames. We went to Madame Tussauds wax museum and Regent Street to all the shops. We also went over to the pub across the street from the ITV Studios which was nice and out of the way. They were too afraid to go on the London Eye..but that is the best way to see London.

If they like theatre you could take them to a show. Almost a shame not to. Not particularly cheap but maybe some deals can be found.

I've been to Madame Tussaud's twice, once taking my 21 year old cousin who loved it.  I also took her to the Globe theatre (she's a massive Shakespeare nut).

YAY! Thanks for the great ideas!  Keep any more great thoughts coming. 

I should say, I won't be there with them.  This is a friend of a cousin who is coming over.  But she did the thing my friends and family all do, 'My relative/friend lives in England, you could ask her about London'.  And frankly, I really don't know much.  I've honestly not spent more than a day in London since probably 2006.     And I like London in small doses, but I always feel overwhelmed when I go, and dh really isn't a fan of it so we never see to go down.

But I knew all the great people on here would have some brilliant ideas that I can't think of!  This is way better than just reading a guidebook!   

Randomly, a friend of mine just had to cancel a trip to London and she'd bought (I think these are it: http://www.londontown.com/lpass/) that she's trying to unload for 50 quid each (instead of the 80 they cost) they're good for "50 major london attractions". If your friends would like them (or anyone else's friends!), I'd be happy to pass along her email.

And I like London in small doses, but I always feel overwhelmed when I go

Indeed. Far too big for me!  Nice in small doses, nice for the variety of shops and resturants and touristy things. 

But to live there? Not for me.  I like the sheep on my way to work  

Thanks Jennie!  I will ask but I suspect that they are still in the finding the right plane ticket stage, and not ready to purchase something like that yet.  Hopefully she can sell them on!

But to live there? Not for me.  I like the sheep on my way to work  

I like crossing Tower Bridge on my walk to work. (I just hate the *$^%&$^% oblivious tourists blocking the pavements, arrrgh!)

I'm a bit biased, but I think London visitors should take a boat tour while they're here (not on the gross Thames Clippers, though - they're total jerks run by a mega multinational and you can't see much from them anyway). There's so much of London to see from the river and you get a totally different perspective, as well as being able to mentally piece together how close things are.

We see ALL the boat tours come past us, and we have affection for a few, even though we hear the same commentary over and over all year round. Avontuur and Hollywood are seriously the cutest little boats and Hollywood has a sweet little old man doing the commentary live, too. I've never done either tour, but these seem to be better than the average ENORMOBOAT crap the City Cruisers put out.

Or Bateaux does lunch and dinner cruises with a super menu if you want something nicer. White tablecloths and tables along huge glass windows, plus they spin donuts under Tower Bridge so everyone gets a view.

I like crossing Tower Bridge on my walk to work. (I just hate the *$^%&$^% oblivious tourists blocking the pavements, arrrgh!)

  

Man!  I think they are asking a lot of you.  That's like saying, "I know you live in San Francisco, but can you plan my itinerary in Los Angeles?"
I would tell them to get Rick Steves London, and read it from cover to cover.  But maybe I'm just snarkier than you.

That being said, I have spent only a total of 5 days in London so far, but these are my Top 10, in random order:
1.  Westminster Abbey, with a photo op at Big Ben and Parliament Building right there.  
(And an optional ride on the London Eye - I love views)
2.  Tower of London - brings that violent English history to life
3.  A Fat Tire bike tour for a good overview of the city (will often include a stop at Buckingham Palace at the changing of the guard)
4.  The Churchill Museum/Cabinet War Rooms
5.  Imperial War Museum (especially if they have kids - mine loved it)
6.  The British Library
7.  The Portobello Market on Saturday
8.  A visit to some random pub, anywhere in the city
9.  A picnic in Hyde Park, if the sun is shining
10. British Museum